Anthology of Australian Music on Disc

The Anthology of Australian Music on Disc has developed as a standard reference collection of Australian music.

The Anthology features sound recordings of solo instrumental, orchestral, chamber and electroacoustic works, composed from the turn of the twentieth century to the present day. The collection captures a diverse range of works by established and emerging composers, performed by Australia’s leading musicians and professional performing groups.

The release in October 2003 of Series V of the collection brings the total number of discs in the collection to forty-one. Since the launch in 1989 of the first fifteen discs by the then Canberra School of Music, the Anthology has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim. It has received national awards for its unique contribution to the preservation and dissemination of Australian culture, and serves as a primary source of material on composers, their works, and performers, for the general public, music broadcasters, researchers, teachers and students.Series V has been developed by The Australian National University’s School of Music in partnership with the Australian Music Centre, and ScreenSound Australia, with the additional cooperation of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and assistance from the National Library of Australia. The series includes two orchestral works by Fritz Hart (1874–1949), one of the earliest Australian composers to attempt to capture the quintessence of the Australian bush. Regarding Faustus, a one-act music-theatre piece by Helen Gifford, casts the legend of Faust in a contemporary and confronting new light. The ABC’s ongoing commitment to electroacoustic music is recognised in the EarClips series of threeminute audio compositions, which were commissioned by The Listening Room to mark the 70th anniversary of ABC Radio in 2002. Larry Sitsky offers a snapshot of twentieth century Australian piano music in a two-CD set that ranges chronologically from Percy Grainger’s Colonial Song (1911) to Sitsky’s own Fantasia No. 11 (1999), and which celebrates the contribution made by Australian women composers. The five discs are produced in a limited edition boxed set, packaged to complement the earlier four sets. Each disc in the series contains comprehensive notes on the musical works, and their composers and performers. Discs may be purchased individually from retail outlets around the country.

Anthology of Australian Music on Disc Series I

This project begun in 1988 as an Australian bicentennial project with the assistance of the Australian Bicentennial Authority. The first series of 15 discs were released in 1989 and present a wide range of music by Australian composers from the second half of the twentieth century. They feature a number of Australia's prominent contemporary music ensembles, including Syergy and Flederman.

Anthology of Australian Music on Disc Series II

The recordings continues with a second series of six discs, this time of individual composers or performers, such as the music of Miriam Hyde, and music for flute and piano performed by flautist Mardi McSullea and pianist Michael Kieren Harvey.

Anthology of Australian Music on Disc Series III

Anthology of Australian Music on Disc Series IV

In the third and fourth series (nine and six discs respectively), the focus is broadened to include remastered heritage recordings, film music, and electronic music, as well as highlighting music composed for particular Australian ensembles. In addition, a number of discs in this series look back at Australian compositions of the first half of the twentieth century.

Anthology of Australian Music on Disc Series V

The final series of five discs was part of a joint project between the ANU School of Music, Australian Music Centre and ScreenSound Australia.

For mail orders please use the order form and return to:

PLEASE NOTE: CSM 3, 9 & 14 are out of stock. Please call +61 2 6125 5700 or email prior to ordering Series 1 to confirm adjusted price.

Anthology of Australian Music on Disc
School of Music
Faculty of Arts
The Australian National University
Building 100
Canberra ACT 0200
Australia

For further information please contact:

School of Music Reception

T: +61 2 61255700
F: +61 2 61259775
E: schoolofmusic@anu.edu.au